Gunshots kill man, 18, at party

Suspect, 19, arrested as he fled area of Wellington apartments, deputies say

Wellington — A birthday party in the 1700 block of Ripley Run ended abruptly around 4:30 a.m. Thursday when one guest shot another in the chest during a fight over a girl, investigators said.

The victim, Jason Bradley Payne, 18, died at the scene, said Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office investigators. Deputies arrested the suspect, who tried to flee in a 1991 Chevy truck, shortly after the shooting. William T. Wilkerson, 19, was charged with murder, said a sheriff's spokesman.

Palm Beach Sheriff's Deputy Robert Maione was conducting a routine patrol at the Wellington Green Mall when he heard two shots. Maione decided to investigate across the street at the Polo Lakes Apartment Complex when he heard a third shot. He found Wilkerson driving erratically while trying to leave the complex, according to an arrest affidavit.

At least seven people between the ages of 17 and 22 were celebrating a birthday at 1734 Ripley Run for Payne's roommate, Brandon Bagoo, the affidavit states. Wilkerson and Payne where playing pingpong in the garage when Payne became angry because he thought Wilkerson was making advances toward his girlfriend.

According to the affidavit, Payne told Wilkerson to leave. Witnesses described Wilkerson as drunk and loud, flashing a revolver and threatening to kill Payne.

Wilkerson backed up to his truck while Payne followed him, the affidavit said. When Wilkerson got in his truck, Payne hit the driver's window, breaking it to pieces.

Wilkerson fired at Payne, hitting him twice in the chest, the affidavit states. A third shot was fired after Wilkerson took off. Deputies later found a 2-inch snub-nose revolver with three fired casings near Wilkerson's truck, according to the affidavit.

Payne was pronounced dead at the scene.

On Thursday morning, investigators searched a grassy area near the front porch of the townhouse with metal detectors.

An opened garage door revealed a late-model red Dodge truck. A single yellow balloon was tied to the back. On the truck's rear window, someone had written a message with soap: "Happy Birthday, Baby."

Erik Armbuster, a neighbor who was moving out of the complex Thursday morning, said he heard loud bangs and cars screeching away about 4:30 a.m. "I left the apartment to go over there," he said, "and a woman and a man were over there screaming."

Armbuster said he has had "run-ins" with the people living in the apartment over loud music late at night. He said at least three people in their mid-20s moved into the three-bedroom apartment about two months ago.

Staff Researcher Bill Lucey contributed to this report.

Maria Herrera can be reached at meherrera@sun-sentinel.com or 561-243-6544.